The eight National Party members who remain in the shadow ministry have quit their roles in solidarity with three senior colleagues who were sacked for opposing the new hate laws.
Nationals sources have confirmed that all party members have resigned from the coalition government’s frontbench following threats first issued against opposition leader Susan Lee on Tuesday.
Nationals leader David Littleproud had warned Mr Ley that there would be a mass exodus if he accepted the resignations of shadow cabinet ministers Ross Cadell, Bridget McKenzie and Susan Macdonald, who passed the hate bill.
This afternoon, Mr Ley announced that he had accepted the resignations of three senators after they voted against Labor’s amended and watered-down Hate Bill, contrary to the position taken by the Shadow Cabinet.
The Nationals then held a snap meeting in the evening, and after 90 minutes it was resolved that all remaining members of the front bench would leave their positions.
David Littleproud called a meeting of the party on Wednesday night. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)
Shadow Treasury Secretary Pat Conaghan said in a statement that he had submitted his resignation to Mr Ley over his opposition to Liberal-backed hate legislation.
“While my National Party colleagues and I fully support the intent of the bill, we do not support the hasty iteration that has been put forward,” he said.
Ray acknowledged in a statement that the issue was difficult for the Nationals’ party room.
But when the coalition government was reshuffled following the party’s election defeat, she said the National Party agreed to the “fundamental principles” of following the shadow cabinet’s decisions.
“Last night, three National Party senators failed to maintain the unity of the shadow cabinet,” Mr Wray said.
“This is an unfortunate situation and action is required.
”[The senators] Each of them, as appropriate, has offered to resign from the Shadow Cabinet, which I have accepted. ”
Senator Cader had said he was prepared to be fired or resign over his decision.
“I’m willing to accept the consequences of my actions. I think that’s fair,” he said.
“If you are not prepared to be on time, you cannot commit a crime.”